The best Veterans Day gifts honor someone's service in a way that feels personal, whether that's a flag display case, a cap for their branch, or a coffee from a veteran-owned brand. Veterans Day is about thanking everyone who served. The words you include matter as much as the gift. Below are 14 gifts at a range of prices, plus simple ways to thank a veteran beyond a gift.

Looking for more thank-you ideas? See our small thank-you gifts and Thanksgiving host gift ideas.

Quick picks

Best overall: Oak Flag Display Case ($89)
From a veteran-owned brand: Combat Flip Flops Men's Coyote Floperator ($54.99)
Under $25: Grunt Style Mission RED T-Shirt ($23.99)
For their stories: Storyworth Memoirs ($59)
A thank you in your own voice: A PerfectGift with a recorded video message

Veterans Day gifts at a glance

Gift	Price	Best for
1. Combat Flip Flops Men's Coyote Floperator	$54.99	Supporting a veteran-founded brand
2. Grunt Style Mission RED T-Shirt	$23.99	Remembering everyone deployed
3. Black Rifle Coffee Freedom Roast	$16.99	Coffee drinkers
4. Oak Flag Display Case (Small)	$89	Honoring a folded flag
5. Storyworth Memoirs (Basic)	$59	Preserving their stories
6. Leatherman Wingman	$49.95	Everyday use
7. L.L.Bean Men's Bean's Sweater Fleece Vest	$79.95	Cool mornings
8. Set of Five Metal Challenge Coin Stands	$14.44	Displaying challenge coins
9. American Flag Wood Thank You Card	$6	A written thank you
10. Army Veteran Black Cap	$25	Army veterans
11. Navy Veteran Cap	$25	Navy veterans
12. US Air Force Veteran Ball Cap	$24.95	Air Force veterans
13. Marines Veteran Black Cap	$25	Marine veterans
14. A PerfectGift with a recorded thank you	From $5	A thank you in your own voice

How much should you spend on a Veterans Day gift?

There's no set amount. A $6 card with a few honest words can mean as much as a $90 keepsake. For a friend, neighbor, or coworker, something under $25 is plenty. For a parent, grandparent, or spouse who served, a keepsake like a flag case or a Storyworth book is worth spending a little more on.

Veterans Day gifts from veteran-owned brands

Buying from a veteran-owned business is a simple way to make a Veterans Day gift mean a little more. Each of these brands says on its own site that it was founded or is run by veterans.

1. Combat Flip Flops Men's Coyote Floperator: $54.99

Image courtesy of Combat Flip Flops.

Combat Flip Flops was co-founded by a former Army Ranger, and these sandals use military-grade tubular nylon on top with a morale patch on the strap. There's real arch support underneath, plus a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. They're rated 4.6 stars across about 280 reviews. They run small, so size up on half sizes.

2. Grunt Style Mission RED T-Shirt: $23.99

Image courtesy of Grunt Style.

Grunt Style was started in 2009 by a former Army drill sergeant. This red tee is built around RED, which stands for "Remember Everyone Deployed."

3. Black Rifle Coffee Freedom Roast: $16.99

Image courtesy of Black Rifle Coffee.

Black Rifle Coffee calls itself a veteran-owned coffee company, and Freedom Roast is a medium roast with milk chocolate, vanilla, and buttery notes. Pick ground, whole bean, or K-Cups. With 4.9 stars from 982 reviews, it's an easy one to get right.

Personal and keepsake gifts for veterans

These are the gifts that honor their service directly and stay with them for years.

4. Oak Flag Display Case (Small): $89

Image courtesy of Etsy (MaggiesCustom).

If the veteran in your life has a folded flag from their service or a family member's, this case gives it a place to be seen. This oak case is made in the USA with an acrylic front and an engraved brass plate. It's rated 4.8 stars from 77 reviews. The flag isn't included, and it's worth messaging the seller to confirm the size before you order.

5. Storyworth Memoirs (Basic): $59

Image courtesy of Storyworth.

Storyworth sends your veteran one question a week by text or email, then turns their answers into a hardcover book. If they've ever wanted to write down their stories, this lets them do it at their own pace. Storyworth says it has more than 50,000 five-star reviews.

Practical everyday gifts for veterans

Not every veteran wants a gift that's about their service. They'll use these well-made picks all the time.

6. Leatherman Wingman: $49.95

Image courtesy of Leatherman.

A 14-tool multitool with spring-action pliers and a 2.6-inch blade, built in Portland, Oregon, with a 25-year warranty. It's small enough to carry every day. Just note the blade means it can't go in a carry-on.

7. L.L.Bean Men's Bean's Sweater Fleece Vest: $79.95

Image courtesy of L.L.Bean.

A warm sweater-knit fleece vest with three zip pockets that's easy to throw on for a Veterans Day parade or a chilly morning. Some colors are on sale.

Small gifts for veterans under $25

A small gift can still say a lot. Both of these come in under $25.

8. Set of Five Metal Challenge Coin Stands: $14.44

Image courtesy of Etsy (MissoulaMontana).

If they've collected challenge coins over the years, these five metal stands fit coins from 1.5 to 3 inches and let them put the coins on display. The Etsy shop says it's veteran-owned.

9. American Flag Wood Thank You Card: $6

Image courtesy of Etsy (NightOwlPaperGoods).

This card is made from real birch wood with a flag on the front and "thank you for your service" inside, and it comes with an envelope. The blank back leaves room to write something specific, which often means more than the card itself. It has 4.9 stars from 29 reviews, from a shop with more than 17,000 sales.

Veterans Day gifts by branch

A cap with their branch on it lets them wear their service every day. Here's one each for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

10. Army Veteran Black Cap: $25

Image courtesy of The National WWII Museum Store.

An officially licensed Army veteran cap in 100% cotton. It's sold by The National WWII Museum's store, so the purchase also supports the museum. It has a handful of reviews so far, all five stars.

11. Navy Veteran Cap: $25

Image courtesy of The National WWII Museum Store.

This officially licensed Navy cap has a structured, low-profile fit and a pre-curved bill. Like the Army cap, it comes from The National WWII Museum's store.

12. US Air Force Veteran Ball Cap: $24.95

Image courtesy of Etsy (PatchtownHQ).

An embroidered Air Force veteran cap in your choice of colors, from a shop with a 4.9-star rating across 468 reviews and 2,500+ sales. Black runs a few dollars more.

13. Marines Veteran Black Cap: $25

Image courtesy of The National WWII Museum Store.

For Marines, this officially licensed veteran cap is 100% cotton with a hook-and-loop closure. It's a sharp, low-key cap for everyday wear.

How to thank a veteran (beyond a gift)

A gift is a nice gesture. Here are a few ways to show it, with or without one.

Write it down. A short card or letter that says exactly what you're grateful for is something they can keep. The wood card above is a good place to start.
Ask, then listen. If they're open to it, ask where they served or what they remember most. A real conversation can mean more than a quick thank you.
Spend the day with them. Go to a local Veterans Day parade or ceremony together, or just take them out to eat.
Know what the day is for. The VA describes Veterans Day as a day to thank and honor everyone who served, living and dead, which is different from Memorial Day.

Or, give them a PerfectGift

14. A PerfectGift with a recorded thank you: From $5

Image courtesy of PerfectGift.

Sometimes the best gift is hearing you say thank you. Pair a PerfectGift with premium video packaging and record a message they can replay. Start it at a restaurant they love, like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse, to put toward a meal out. They decide how to redeem it: keep that brand, swap to another, move it onto a Visa, or send it to their bank with Zelle.

Frequently asked questions

What is an appropriate gift for Veterans Day?

A good Veterans Day gift honors their service without making a big production of it. A Storyworth book, a quality multitool, or a RED tee from a veteran-owned brand all work. Add a few specific words of thanks with it.

What are some cool gifts for veterans?

Gifts from veteran-owned brands, like Combat Flip Flops sandals or Black Rifle Coffee, are great picks. A Storyworth book that collects their stories, and stands for the challenge coins they've earned, are thoughtful too.

How do you thank a veteran on Veterans Day?

Say it, and be specific. Write a card, ask about their service if they're open to talking, or spend the day with them at a local Veterans Day event. A small gift is a nice way to go along with it.

What can you say besides "thank you for your service"?

Try something more personal, like asking where they served or what their job was, or telling them exactly what you're grateful for. Then listen.

Is Veterans Day the same as Memorial Day?

No. According to the VA, Memorial Day honors service members who died in service, while Veterans Day honors everyone who served honorably, living and dead, and is largely meant to thank living veterans.

Are gift cards a good gift for a veteran?

They can be, especially for a meal out. A PerfectGift that starts as a restaurant like Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse goes toward dinner, and the recipient decides how to redeem it.

Final thought

What matters most is the thank you, and the gift just carries it. Pick something that fits the person, add a few words of your own, and if you're not sure what they'd like, a PerfectGift lets them choose how to use it.

More thank-you ideas: small thank-you gifts · thank-you gift ideas